West African lab experts call for stronger disease surveillance as health systems falter
Laboratory scientists gathered in Lome warned that weakening health systems across West Africa risk missing early signs of outbreaks and urged governments to boost diagnostic capacity.
West African laboratory scientists convened in Lome to discuss the region’s preparedness for infectious disease threats. They warned that health systems are becoming increasingly fragile, risking delayed detection of future epidemics. Referencing the deadly 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak that claimed at least 11,000 lives in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, they urged governments to cooperate on enhancing disease surveillance and to invest in both diagnostic tools and skilled personnel.
Kossi Kabo, head of the Association of Medical Biologists of Togo, stressed the need for proactive measures before outbreaks emerge. Arthur Bodurie Calvin Garber highlighted that funding should target people as much as equipment. The appeal arrives as the Africa CDC reports a rapidly spreading Ebola outbreak in Congo and a hantavirus detection on a cruise ship off Cape Verde, underscoring the urgency of their call.
Why it matters
Weak detection systems could let deadly outbreaks spread unchecked, endangering millions across West Africa.
How this story developed
- Aug 23 Ebola toll in DRC climbs to over 5,500 cases as Pope calls for global aid
- Aug 31 The epidemic has spread to the Biena and Manguredjipa health zones, increasing the total number of affected zones to 60.
- Sep 1 More than 50,000 vaccine doses arrived for frontline workers.
- Sep 2 Confirmed cases rise to 6,186 and deaths increase to 3,007.
- Sep 13 A case confirmed in South‑Ubangi marked the virus’s spread to a seventh province.
- Sep 17 Confirmed cases have risen to over 7,200 and deaths to more than 3,500 since the outbreak was first declared.
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